Stress can have such a detrimental effect on both your skin and health. For many years it has been associated with high blood pressure and strokes but stress can cause sudden acne and rosacea flare-ups as well.

When you become stressed your cortisol levels which is your stress hormone rises, this increases the oil production in your skin. This is a problem for everyone but it can make the matter worse if you suffer from problem skin.

If you are stressed but don’t currently suffer from acne then stress can contribute to you developing stress related acne. Within the cells of your skin there is a barrier which fills any gaps and protects you from bacteria that may enter your body. When you are stressed the outermost cells in your skin shrink which in turn allow the lipids which are found in the barrier to evaporate. When this happens tiny cracks start to appear which then allow bacteria to penetrate the deeper layers of your skin. This can lead to eczema and psoriasis out-breaks.

Stress can affect the barrier function of your skin which can lead to dehydration and inhibits your skin’s ability to heal itself when you have an accident. It has been proven that you will experience an acne break-out if you are under stress. Stress stops the blood flow in your skin which can lead to clogged pores.

If you suffer from cold sores then stress is there to weaken your immune system which allows the virus that causes cold sores to become active.

The collagen and elastin protein fibers that keep your skin youthful can become damaged when you are in a constant state of stress, this can lead to premature ageing and visible signs of wrinkles.

Learning to take care of your skin and health, and recognize any under lying problems that are associated with your stress are key.

Minimizing your stress can be dealt with in a number of ways.

Exercise helps release endorphins your feel good hormone in your body that can reduce stress and make you feel so much better.

Talk to a friend about what is going on in your head, rather than trying to deal with it all yourself. As the saying goes “a problem shared is a problem halved”.

Find a healthy way to relax. Try meditation or take a yoga class, both are great ways to deal with stress.

Listen to some calming or motivational music, take a bath or go for a walk in the park.

Stress can be such a difficult thing to deal with in your life but once you find the right outlet for you, life will become a whole lot easier and your skin will become a whole lot clearer.